Help! Failed NCLEX five times, out of school for 9 years
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Hello Everyone,
I am new to allnurses.com. A very long story short: I graduated RN school in May 2001. I have taken the NCLEX five times and was unsuccessful. I had tried everything I knew to do... Read More

Texas passed a new rule that allows foreign nurse graduates and nurses that have failed NCLEX PN or RN to take a Refresher Program that includes clinicals. I think this is a great step in the right direction as you get to not only review didactic Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, Documentation, Jurisprudence, etc and do a question review course like Kaplan, Hurst or others out there but, you combine the knowledge with clinicals and pull it together. This really should increase your chance of passing as well as make you more employable because, you will have recent clinical experience. You can google Texas Nurse Refresher Programs or contact me through email for more info. Good luck to those of you trying again. I think the key is the study time put into it.

I was out of nursing school for 1 year and a half. I took 2 NCLEX review courses before taking boards for the first time.

1) Hurst - They do a great job minimizing the memorization needed and helping all the topics flow together and easier to understand.

2)Kaplan - Really helps you in HOW you answer the NCLEX questions.

ALSO, Depending on which NCLEX professor you get. I had an AWESOME one. Some don't tho... My Kaplan instructor used to literally RUN the NYC Children's hospital before moving the Los Angeles. Apparently she gave tips other Kaplan professors did not.

I took both. Followed their instructions. & when Kaplan says answer 1200+ questions. You answer all of them. Close to my 2 year mark after nursing school I studied for about month of what Hurst and Kaplan taught me and i passed on the first try.

Hi cpmom...I noticed you posted this early last year, and not sure if you are still looking for advice. But i have taken the nclex several times as well. I felt like giving up at times, but persevered and finally passed it. I believe you will as well as long as you dont give up and do whatever it takes to help you pass. I found kaplan and the saunders review book to be very helpful. The cd included in the saunders review book is very helpful as well. Like others have mentioned focus on the rationales. In the saunders as well it gives not only rationale but strategies on how to answer the questions.

Yes, thanks you so much bebot...Thanks alot for your support. I am seriously trying hard to pass NCLEX this time. I will going to sit again in february. Now i m studying...Saunder, Mobsy, Incredibly and etc... as much as I can. I really want to pass..because I want to migrate to North Carolina where my husband stays. I am very nervous to sit exam and this exam is really driving me crazy ....

Took me 4 times to pass. I have test anxiety, and question myself alot. I had to take a remediation course through florida. The best thing i ever did. I finally learned to use my critical thinking skills to decipher questions that were difficult for me. When doing practice questions, i would just answer, and move on. Finally figured out that my first choice was usually the right one. Stay with it. It took me 13 years. I graduated from my nursing program in 1997.

What do you mean with "remediation course in Florida?" It is a kind of Preparation Course to take NCLEX?..I live in Las Vegas and they dont have one..I really need a tutor or somebody to study with me..Thanks ..

wow graduating rn school 1997 took nclex 2 failed became overwhelmed and started a family of three children.i love my family and husband but somehow a part of me is still missing my rn liscense to be complete . I love nursing can anyone help!!!!
i heard others talk about remedial classes whats best im in the state of illinois

Each US State has it's own Board of Nursing. Some states stipulate that you have 2-3 years from the time of graduation to pass the NCLEX. If it was not passed on X number of attempts they require remedial work or a refresher course to be completed before they will allow you to sit for the exam again. Each state is different. Here is the link to Illinois requirements:

Take advantage of the information provided by the website, there are phone numbers and email addresses listed for questions. I am sure they could recommend a refresher course if it has been a long time since graduating from nursing school.

I have taken the NCLEX 4 time and still havent passed, I just moved to Texas and was wondering if any knew is 4 times the max amount of time that I can test. I graduated in 08 and know that Texas gives you 4 years to test, but how many times can I take it?

Dear BDPF,
Have you taken a remedial class and NCLEX testing class. After 2 yrs I can not see how the info would be fresh enough in your brain to be able to pass. Do you know what part you are lacking?
To find your answer about number of times go to Board of nursing for Texas.
I had huge test anxiety but worked with a therapist in college to teach me to overcome it and I did.
I hope you are able to get help before taking another attempt at the test. Good luck.

Hi cpmom
I was in the same boat with you last year. I graduated in 2001 took the test many times and failed. I gave up, started doing other things but I kept thinking about nursing school and what a waste. I finally decided after much prayer to try again. I did questions at first to see what I remembered (not a lot). I then took Kaplan, another review course and worked with a local tutor. I did questions, after questions. thousands of them wherever I could find them. It cost me a whole lot but I was determined to make it happen. I became more motivated after 4months and I took the exam for the 5th and last time in November of 2009 and PASSED.You can and you will. Stay focused and determined and do whatever you feel you have to do to make it happen. Good luck and God bless.

Hello,

I know this post was awhile ago so hopefully you will recieve it. I just recently passed my nclex in March 2011. I graduated in December 2009, and failed 3 times. I took the exam a total of 4 times, and passed on my fourth. It took me a whole year to finally pass the nclex. I worked in a ER as a graduate nurse, but was let go after I failed twice. I actually didnt work the whole time I was studying, except on the side with my mothers business. Now that Ive passed, I ve been applying everywhere in my area (Michigan), but Im having a very difficult time finding a job. Was it hard for you to find a job? I dont know if its because I have a gap on my resume, or if this is normal. I started applyin a week after I passed, a total of 21 positions, and some are responding back with were hiring someone that is more qualified. I just wanted to know if you had the same trouble, and if you were off from nursing from the time you graduated to the time you passed nclex. Hope to hear from ya.